Want to Build a Family History Legacy Book

Structuring Your Family History Blog to Book - The Video

Today were treading into new territory. I'm bringing you my first video. The first of many, I hope. Don't worry I won't give up the writing but I thought we needed to mix it up a little.

This video covers our next installment in our family history blog to book project. Today we are talking about structuring your blog for the purposes of later creating a family history book. I have also incorporated mind mapping to help demonstrate today's post. I hope you enjoy it. Leave me a note in comments let me know what you think.

8 comments:

Just a couple technical points: the volume was rather low. I had to be in a completely quiet room and turn my speakers up full volume to be able to hear clearly. Secondly, just an editorial point: You mentioned that the links were below the video when they were actually just above it. Overall it was very basic, yet effective.

There is one blog that I follow which is well written using the techniques you mention here, writing each post as if it were a scene in a Chapter. I enjoy reading her posts; but, I have often wondered if it was a spoiler for the book. I have spent my blog time to write about the process as I work through the data. Just wondering if you'd share a thought on this.

Hi Debra, thanks for your feedback,I do appreciate it. I'll look into the volume thing although I had no problem on my computer, I'll figure it out for next time. I know Debra you have been writing for sometime, so it probably was basic for you however it was my intention to relate to those who may be struggling with how to approach a family history blog. As for the spoiler question, you are always two steps ahead of me.LOL. I have a post outlined for further out but I will share a couple of thoughts. 1. Who is your intended readerThat should be your first question. Every one may go at this different based on who there reader is and what they intend to do with their book. If your looking at strictly using blogging as a tool to write your family history and compile it for family and distant cousins I don't think it's too much of an issue. If you're looking at selling it commercially you definitely need to be more strategic about what you but in, your approach and what you hold back on. Your approach of writing about the process is certainly one good option. I'll explores others in an upcoming post. I think looking at the content of your book, topics, social history is key to this as well. It will definitely we an individual decision and based on the uniqueness of your book.

Lynn, enjoyed the video with it's getting back to basics approach. FYI..Like Debra, I had issues with the volume.That aside, I have been researching and writing for years and have been asked countless times "When will you write a book?" My blog posts are rather serendipitous as like many other genealogists, I have several research areas going at one time and a recent discovery or inspiration will pre-empt a strategic and comprehensive story line. Perhaps I just love the controlled chaos...though there IS a method to my madness.

Awhile ago I did create an outline and it very closely resembles your approach so I feel more confident that my instincts are strong about taking the family characters from my blog posts and placing them in a cohesive plot line and historical context by using the blog tools more effectively. Debra's comments were interesting as well. The spirit of my blog posts on my page "A Note to My Readers" explains the dual nature of my readership as it is as much about the research, brick walls and discovery for my fellow historians and genealogists as it is to tell the story of ancestors for my family members.

I look forward to learning more and incorporating my work into a better construction.

Thanks for helping me step back from my own head and thinking about something larger than a post.

Thanks Deborah, I definitely get on the volume problem. I'm so glad that it helped you to step back and look at the bigger picture. I think there are many genealogy bloggers who are in much the same situation. Really appreciate your comments and for stopping by.

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